Alabama could pay over $1 million for blocked 2016 abortion law

Protesters participate in a rally against one of the nation’s most restrictive bans on abortions on May 19, 2019 in Montgomery, Alabama. Demonstrators gathered to protest HB 314, a bill passed by the Alabama Legislature last week making almost all abortion procedures illegal. (Photo by Julie Bennett/Getty Images)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama might have to pay more than $1 million to lawyers for abortion clinics after the state’s unsuccessful attempt to ban a common second trimester abortion procedure.

In a court filing last week, lawyers for abortion clinics said they will seek to recoup $1 million in legal fees and nearly $24,000 in expenses. Alabama is responsible for the plaintiffs’ fees after federal courts ruled the law unconstitutional.

The 2016 Alabama law sought to ban the abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation. Clinics filed a lawsuit and a judge ruled the ban unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court in June refused to hear the state’s appeal.

The lawsuit also successfully challenged a law blocking clinics near schools.